Voting has commenced at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary elections holding at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The voting began at about 9.00 pm amid tight security and watch of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and aspirants’ agents.
Speaking before the commencement of the voting, Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor and Chairman, Electoral Sub-committee, said out of the 774 delegates eligible to vote, 767 were accredited.
Shortly before voting began, Governor Aminu Tambuwal stepped down for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the ongoing Presidential Primaries.
Tambuwal, who announced his withdrawal from the race at the venue of the exercise, asked his supporters to queue behind Atiku.
He said, “Having consulted widely throughout the length and breadth of the country, I have come to the belief that as a leader, a time will come to make sacrifices for the good of all.
“”To avoid rancour in the party and to address the suffering of Nigerians, I have come to conclusion to step down my aspiration.”
However,there is tight security within and outside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports presence of security officers including police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Department of State Security, at different locations around the stadium.
Accredited delegates, media, party officials and all participants at the convention were seen subjected to screening at different points, starting from the entry gate to entrance of the velodrome of the stadium, which is the main venue of the convention.
Security vehicles were also stationed at strategic locations within the premises to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
NAN also reports the presence of medical teams attending to participants of the convention in need of medical attention.
Access to the stadium is strictly restricted to only participants with tags, while only VIPs and essential vehicles are allowed into the stadium.
